Prisons are often far more than places with bars. They may follow us around in our daily life. He saves those He has chosen according to His own mercy. He redeems, regenerates and renews His children by His Holy Spirit. Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ. We are confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in us will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. May we walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. May our speech always be with grace and seasoned with salt.

James 1 says to COUNT IT ALL JOY and so many times in life when I am at my worst and I start to PRAISE HIM is when I see HIM the GREATEST!

Yes, I know HE IS ALWAYS the greatest, but there are times in life when we must walk blindly by faith alone when we are not seeing HIM yet knowing HE is there. Then again, there are times when it is so apparent of HIS POWER and the peace that passes all understanding surrrounds our entire being.

Philippians 4: 4-7

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I am not talking about an emotionalism type of PRAISE. I am talking about a PRAISE that KNOWS HE IS GOD. Coming before HIM, the HOLY SOVEREIGN ALMIGHTY, just as we are (sinners) and THANKING HIM for WHAT HE HAS DONE!!

In the gates of the PRISON these women will lift their voices and SING LOUD PRAISES TO THE HOLY GOD without shame, without thinking of the piano player being on tune, without worrying how long the songs are going to take or how soon it will be over.

They, that were lost, are found in PRAISES TO HIM!!

HE INHABITS their praise as they are HUMBLED.

He opposes the proud (those who try to continually prove they are right or argue over every lil’ detail instead of focusing on HIM alone and bring GLORY to HIM) and HE gives GRACE TO THE HUMBLE!!

James 4:6

Scripture says: “God opposes the proud

but gives grace to the humble.”

I hear it told that in other countries people come to worship for hours, not for a moment. They aren’t concerned with their “own” agenda’s or being right about something. They are there to WORSHIP AND PRAISE HIM.

HE, HIS HOLY SPIRIT, cleanses the dust, their sins, the pain from the souls of those who WORSHIP HIM in SPIRIT and in TRUTH!!

May the LORD OUR GOD and SAVIOR restore to us the JOY of our salvation and may we humbly and freely PRAISE HIS NAME!!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

Psalm 51:12-13

12Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will

return to you.

Psalm 22: 23-25

23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!

All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!

Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!24 For he has not despised or disdained

the suffering of the afflicted one;

he has not hidden his face from him

but has listened to his cry for help.25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;

before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.

Photograph “Come See” taken by my friend Terry Kruse

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